T 1.10-1.14 Flashcards
Tectonic context of the Philippines
- situated on complex multiple player boundary in ring of fire
- 2 major destructive margins joined by conservative margin
- has 37 volcanoes with 18 active ones
- 12 destructive earthquakes recorded in last 40 years
- eastern and northern coasts face the Pacific Ocean
- events can leave steep rugged slopes and poor vegetation
Hydro-meteorological context of Philippines
- tropical monsoonal climate brings rain bearing winds
- lies within SE Asia’s typhoon belt
- average of 20 typhoons hit the country, 7-10 expected to be destructive
- high risk of storm surges, floods and landslides
- El Niño brings periodic drought like in 1998
Development context of Philippines
- rapidly developing lower middle income country with large population (101 million with 1.72% annual growth)
- rapid urbanisation has led to large unplanned informal settlements and high pop. densities
- 25% of population live in poverty
- 50% of rural population like in poverty
- high levels of deforestation and widespread corruption
Facts and figures about Philippines country
- ranked 3rd in world risk index 2016
- eight the ten most risky cities from natural hazards in here
- 74% of population exposed to two or more hazards
- called a multiple hazard zone
- 555 major hazard events experienced between 1960-2015
Negative impacts of previous hazard events in Philippines
- tectonic events leave steep slopes, rugged land and poor vegetation cover
- extreme weather events/ heavy rainfall, eg La Niña saturate the soil and trigger mud/landslides particularly if the vegetation has been removed
- heavy rain with volcanic ash, creating large lahars that kill lellle eg, typhoon Yüna in 1991
- eruptions release water and the plume creates static charges that creates lighting and thunderstorms
What happened in 1991 in the Philippines?
- mount pinatubo and typhoo Yüna
- June 15th 1991, second largest eruption of 20th century (VEI 6) generated large pyroclastic flows and clouds of volcanic ash
- event coincided with typhoon Yüna with winds of up to 120mph
- rainfall mixed with volcanic ash = devastating lahars that swept through towns
Stats of 1991 disaster Philippines
- 847 reported to have died
- 73k houses damaged by heavy wet ash
- economic impact estimated at 211 million
- powerful eruption ejected significant quantities of aerosols and dust into the stratosphere
What happened in 2006 in the Philippines?
- Mount Mahon and typhoon Durian
- active strati volcano erupts frequently (50+ in past 500)
- activity and perfect shape is major tourist attraction
- quiet and effusive eruptions throughout 2006
- typhoon Durian caressed volcanoes path in November
- rainfall, flooding, mudflows and lahars
Stats of 2006 Philippines disaster
- 457mm rainfall = flooding in legazpi city (main port)
- Rainfall mixed with ash debris an debris to create mudflows and lahars that buried farms and villages, killing 1250+
Catania facts and figures
- east coast of Sicily on the base of mount Etna
- last major eruption in 2006
- benefits from fertile soils and vineyards
- airspace impact can close Catania airport
physical factors that affect resppmse
- geographical accessibility of location
- type of hazard (scale, impact magnitude, frequency)
- topography of the region
- climate
Human factors that affect response
- number of people involved
- degree of community preparedness
- technological resources
- education and training
- infrastructure
- economic wealth
Why does Sicily struggle to cope?
- each eruption is difficult - crust fracture points in different places, lava viscosity and gas eruptions vary considerably
- unexpected timings of minor eruptions
- computer modelling only as good as data that goes in
- municipality of government - politics of deciding who has responsibility
Vulnerable infrastructure in Sicily
- sapienza ski refuge with cable car and ski lifts, together with northern ski resort
- the round etna railway
- Catania airport
Vulnerable communities in Sicily
- rural - vineyards, olive groves, Mediterranean agriculture on rich volcanic soil
- main roads around the edge of the island to Palermo and Messina docks
Summer tourism in Sicily
- ash, like cement is water proof so very difficult to remove
- built Earth barriers/ explosives to disrupt and redirect lava
National governance in Sicily
- financial assistance from the Italian government is often needed - perhaps 5-6 million to account for losses in tourism and agriculture
Scientists in Sicily
Use a multi component gas analyser system